When parents interrupt by talking louder than children to make their point, kids feel angry, unheard, and closed down. If you've ever been interrupted, talked down to, or over-talked, remember how you felt.

Listening doesn't mean you agree with what your child said. It just means you listened. Of course, if you disagree, don't charge into your child with loud disagreement. Calmly ask questions and listen some more. The better you understand the better your child may listen to you.

Arguing doesn't solves problems. It just cements each side's opinions. We see this in the news every day. I bet there have been times you turned it off. Who wants to hear people fight?

Today's parenting gift offers rhymes as reminders to listen. You'll find 10 altogether. Pick the one you may need and save the others in a 3-hole binder in case you need them in the future. Here are two more of the rhyming reminders:

When you want to communicate better with your child, avoid buying things. Yes, kids do want toys, video games, and new cell phones. But if you experience your kids always wanting more, is gifting material things really a good idea?

This parenting present offers more than 3 gifts. It shares 10. Choose the 3 you need the most. Practice them and feel your parent/child connection grow.

Repeat What Your Child Said.

Repeating what your child said is proof that you listened. It proves that you paid attention and respect him. Listening opens the doors of communication and creates closeness.

Add it to a 3-hole binder to use whenever your relationship with your child is drifting. Then choose the listening skills you want to practice. Refresh your relationship and enjoy your loving connection.

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IF YOUR CHILD REFUSES TO LISTEN, and you're concerned about his future, stop worrying. Read our parenting article to find the 10 worst parenting mistakes and 35 easy ways to communicate better with your youngster. Practice the ones that will help you the most.

Parents love their children more than anything. But busyness can make love hard to show. Life is filled with so much to do, so many demands, and tons of distractions. Listening to her takes too much time. Yet listening is the magic key to each child's heart.

In this parenting article you’ll find:

10 major listening blunders and the

10 painful messages they send to kids,

10 easy listening skills

10 rhyming self-talk reminders

15 conversations starters

Listening is the magic key to your child's heart.

Listening Is the Magic Key!

It gives your youngster the 3 things he craves: attention, appreciation for his ideas, and approval. They prove to him he's important to you.

If you find that one or more of the 10 mistakes is hurting your connection, practice the solutions that will help you the most. And one more thing, if you're having fun, you're doing it right!

Not having time for kids to share their thoughts or answer their questions can shut them down. When you're too busy too often and you want to change, try this parenting solution:

Listen to all of what he is saying. Be silent. (Did you know silent and listen include the same letters?)

When he's finished, ask questions to be sure you understand. Don't jump to conclusions or immediately say what you think.

Here are some questions you might ask:

Would you explain it a little more?

How do you feel about it?

How is it affecting your life?

What do you think you should do?

How can I help?

Listening Well Helps Kids Confide.

Questions like these show kids you're really interested in their thoughts, opinions, and feelings. They show you care. When kids know parents care they just might confide in them more.

This doesn't mean you should be overly intrusive, take over, or do what children could do for themselves. Such parenting behavior could shut kids down even more.

One more thing, you could say after kids share their thoughts, "I'd like time to think about what you said. Let's talk about it a little later." Don't forget to make it happen. It lets kids know you take their concerns seriously. It gives them more time to think too.

IF YOU’RE A BUSY PARENT AND YOU KEEP SAYING to your child, "I don't have time to talk," or “Not now,” there could be some parenting consequences.

Not having time could send him the message, “You don’t count. What I’m doing is more important than you are.” Of course, it’s not what you mean but it could be the message he receives. What can you do?

In our parenting video today, the first big tip deals with your lack of time. Let’s say you really can’t talk because you’re on an important phone call. Say, “Just a moment” to the caller. Tell your child when you can talk with him by saying something like, “Give me 15 minutes. Then, let’s talk.”

By your following through, your child will learn 2 things:

Waiting is not the end of the world.

Trusting you to keep your word is worth it.

You are the most important person in your child’s life. Giving him time to talk increases his love for you because your attention and approval are what he seeks.

PARENTS, TEACH KIDS POSITIVE MOTTOES to repeat over and over and give your children a lifetime gift. How? Because when kids recite upbeat thoughts with repetition, those thoughts will likely come to mind when needed. Echoing good thoughts strengthens the brain paths on which they travel.

Powerful positive rhymes also reinforce those brainwaves. They are like the songs that stick in our heads. They are pleasant and can motivate us to act.

Today’s parenting gift includes 10 anti-bullying rhymes like:

I won’t bully others. They’re my sisters and brothers.

My friends won’t include mean kids who are rude.

A bullying tongue offends everyone.

A bullying tongue offends everyone.

Get all 10 of these anti-bullying verses. Ask your child to pick his favorite. Suggest he say it often, post it on the fridge, and act on it when needed.

Better yet, have an anti-bully brainstorming dinner. Write down as many rhymes as your children can think of. Ask each child to choose the one they want to repeat and post it where they will see it as a reminder.

Whether your child is a bully or not, you can raise your child's social consciousness. All you need are the right conversations.

Discover Today’s Parenting Gift to Help Kids Discuss Questions Like:

If you were bullied, how would you feel and why?

Why do some kids bully others?

Tell me 3 things you could do to help a bullied kid?

The 10 questions are simple and easy to ask. Notice they are open-ended, meaning they require more than one-word answers. They don’t have a specific solution. Such questions give children the freedom to share their own fresh ideas. They might even tell you about a bullying situation at school.

3 Listening Tips for Parents:

Ignore distractions like cell phones.

Avoid interrupting your child.

Don’t judge your child’s thoughts. Encourage them.

Find Out What He Really Thinks

When you give your child your full attention, he’ll feel free to tell you what he really thinks. Once you hear your child’s answers, appreciate his good ideas, and ask more questions to make sure you understand. Then you can make helpful suggestions.

By listening well to your child first, you’ll be setting up the situation for him to accept your ideas too. Enjoy the discussion.

IF YOU’RE THE PARENT OF A CHILD BULLY OR A BULLY-FOLLOWER AND YOU WANT TO BE SURE, open today’s parenting gift. It includes 10 bullying signs.

Yes, bullying has been around since people existed. Today it is not just calling someone a name. Child bullying includes using power to control another with insults, rumors, hitting, shoving, spitting, and tripping. Bullies reject their targets and ban them from their peer groups. Their intention is to hurt the other.

5 Steps to Changing Child Bullying Behavior:

1. Acknowledge the truth. If you decide, “Yes, my child is a bully,” you are brave to admit it.